Self-tanning sponge applicator

ABSTRACT

A sponge for applying a self tanning lotion made of cellulose and having medium to fine pore size, where the sponge absorbs and releases lotion, where the sponge is of sufficient thickness not to flex or impart streaks when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, and a cosmetic package containing the sponge and lotion wherein the package is a foil laminate and is sealed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Application 60/679,875, filed May 11, 2005, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to self-tanning cosmetics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sponge suitable for applying a self-tanning lotion, and to a self-tanning kit comprising a sponge onto which a self-tanning lotion is absorbed. The sponge and lotion are sealed in a disposable container, wherein when the container is opened, the sponge is removed and the lotion applied essentially without streaking or dripping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of cosmetic compositions containing self-tanning agents have been used to increase the pigmentation of the skin. Such compositions are disclosed in U.S. 2005/0002978, 6,875426, 6,740,313 and others. One problem frequently addressed is that of streaking upon application of the lotion. Typically, the approach to solving the problem of streaking is the re-formulation of the lotion. Additionally, various forms of application, such as aerosol sprays, spray gels, lotions, creams and mousses are also used to reduce streaking. In U.S. 2004/0241113, the use of “ . . . wet wipes, towelettes, foam sponges, roller ball delivery systems and the like . . . ” is disclosed. However, the present invention, i.e., a sponge that does not streak, is not disclosed, nor is any advantage of the sponge over other applicators disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,360 discloses the use of a towelette impregnated with a self-tanning composition. The towlette disclosed “ . . . denotes the well known packet containing a towel cloth impregnated with a liquid and enclosed by a leakproof container . . . ” However, the wipes, towelettes, and sponges of the above application devices are relatively thin devices that conform to the fingertips when used. As a result, they are known to leave streaks caused by pressure points from the fingertips when applying.

SUMMARY

The present invention is method of applying a self-tanning lotion to skin using a sponge, wherein the sponge is a cellulose sponge able to absorb and release self-tanning lotion. The sponge has medium to fine pore size and is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks at pressure points from fingertips when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion that has been absorbed by the sponge. The lotion is applied by stroking the sponge on the skin.

The present invention is further a cosmetic self-tanning kit comprising the application sponge, wherein the sponge has absorbed self-tanning lotion, packaged in a sealed package, wherein the package is opened, the lotion is applied, and the sponge and package are discarded. Optionally, the kit may contain sufficient lotion to apply to the whole body.

The present invention further is a self-tanning lotion that is readily absorbed by the sponge and released, wherein the lotion essentially does not drip nor streak during application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective of the claimed sponge.

FIG. 2 show a perspective of the sponge being used as an applicator for self-tanning lotion.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective of the self-tanning kit containing the sponge onto which the self-tanning lotion is absorbed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sponge 1 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. It is a cellulose sponge and has a medium to fine pore size. The pore size is critical, so that the lotion is absorbed and released from the sponge. Further, the pore size is such that the lotion is applied evenly, so that streaking does not occur.

The sponge is of sufficient thickness that when the lotion that it has absorbed is applied to the skin by pressing the sponge against the skin, it will not flex, and pressure points from the fingers pressing against the back of the sponge are not observed. The sponge is preferably from about one half to one inch thick. More preferably, it is ¾ inch thick. The length and width of the sponge are not critical, however it is convenient to have the sponge large enough to absorb about 1 ounce of lotion. The preferred dimensions are from about six inches long by four inches wide to about three inches long by two inches wide. The most preferred dimensions are about four by three inches. The shape of the sponge is not critical, and can be a square, rectangle, circle or oval. However, it has been found that an hourglass shape is easier to grip, and that is the preferred shape.

It was determined that the composition of the sponge is critical. A variety of sponge materials was tested and found unsuitable for the present application. Polyester, closed-cell polyvinyl alcohol and open-celled polyvinyl alcohol sponges would not absorb the lotion, nor release the lotion onto the skin. Natural sea sponges could not be used, because the protein in the sponge caused the lotion to immediately discolor. The cellulose sponge would absorb and release the lotion when applied to the skin.

The sponge absorbs self-tanning lotion, up to about 1 ounce for a three by four inch sponge. As shown in FIG. 2, the lotion is applied to the skin by gripping the sponge 1 on one side with a hand 2 and stroking the sponge across the skin, causing the sponge to release the lotion, and to apply it evenly without streaking. To prevent the skin on the hands and under the fingernails from becoming discolored, a petrolatum-based barrier cream can be applied to the hands prior to handling the sponge.

The lotion-containing sponge can be packaged in a sealed leak-proof pouch 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The pouch can be a foil pouch, but must have a non foil lining, because the foil will be attacked by lotion and fail. Therefore, a foil pouch must be laminated with a polymer or coating to be used in the present application. Preferably, the pouch will be notched to have a tear-off end that can easily be opened by hand.

Any self-tanning lotion can be applied using the claimed sponge. However, the preferred lotion is of the following formulation: TABLE 1 Formula of the Self Tanning Lotion Ingredients Range of Quantity (Wt %) Deionized Water 70-80 Sodium Metabisulfate 0.1-0.3 Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) 3-7 Erythrulose 1-5 Witch Hazel Extract 1-5 Ethoxydiglycol 3-7 Glycereth 7 Triacetate 1-5 Dimethyicone PEG-7 Phosphate 0.1-2.0 Polysorbate 20\) 0.1-4   Vitamin E Acetate Oil (Tocopheryl Acetate) 0-1 Fragrance 0-1 Phenoxyethanol, Methyparaben, 0-1 Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, or Butylparaben Total 100

EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTION

The following example of the invention is made for illustration purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any manner. A self tanning lotion of the present invention was made according to the following formulation in Table 2. TABLE 2 Sunless Tanning Formulation Ingredients Quantity (Wt %) Deionized Water 77.50 Sodium Metabisulfate 0.20 Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) 5.00 Erythrulose 3.00 Witch Hazel Extract 3.00 Glycol Ether DE (Ethoxydiglycol) 5.00 Pelemol G7A (Glycereth 7 Triacetate) 2.50 Pecosil PS-100 (Dimethyicone PEG-7 Phosphate) 1.00 Tween 20 (Polysorbate 20) 2.00 Vitamin E Acetate Oil (Tocopheryl Acetate) 0.10 Lemon Blossom #47914 (Fragrance) 0.20 Phenochem (Phenoxyethanol, Methyparaben, 0.50 Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, and Butylparaben Total 100.0

The lotion was prepared by dissolving the sodium metabisulfate and DHA in deionized water. The erythrulose and witch hazel extract were added and mixed until dissolved. The remaining ingredients were pre-mixed and the pre-mix was added slowly to the initial batch with mixing. The mixing was continued until a clear solution was achieved.

The above lotion provides many desirable qualities. It is non-sticky when applied to the skin. It does not leave an oily feel to the skin. It dries quickly and leaves no residual order of DHA. The fragrance (lemon blossom) disappears quickly after application. 

1. A method of applying a self-tanning lotion to skin comprising applying the self-tanning lotion to a sponge, and applying the lotion to the skin, wherein the sponge is made of cellulose having medium to fine pore size, wherein the sponge is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks from pressure points when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, and wherein the sponge is able to absorb and release the self-tanning lotion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sponge is from about one half to one inch thick.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the width and length of the sponge is from about six inches by four inches to about three inches by about two inches.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the sponge has a rectangular shape.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sponge has an hourglass shape.
 6. A self-tanning sponge comprising a sponge containing self-tanning lotion, wherein the sponge is made of cellulose having medium to fine pore size, wherein the sponge is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks from pressure points when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, wherein the sponge is able to absorb and release self-tanning lotion.
 7. The sponge of claim 6, wherein the sponge is from about one half to one inch thick.
 8. The sponge of claim 7, wherein the width and length of the sponge is from about six inches by four inches to about three inches by about two inches.
 9. The sponge of claim 8 wherein the sponge has a rectangular shape.
 10. The sponge of claim 8, wherein the sponge has an hourglass shape.
 11. The sponge of claim 10, wherein the sponge is contained in a sealed package.
 12. A cosmetic package comprising a pouch containing a sponge containing self-tanning lotion, wherein the sponge is made of cellulose having medium to fine pore size, wherein the sponge is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks from pressure points when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, wherein the sponge is able to absorb and release self-tanning lotion, and wherein the package is sealed.
 13. The cosmetic package of claim 12, wherein the package is made of laminated foil, wherein the laminate is on the interior of the package.
 14. The sponge of claim 12, wherein the sponge is from about one half to one inch thick, wherein the width and length of the sponge is from about six inches by four inches to about three inches by about two inches, and the sponge has an hourglass shape.
 15. A self-tanning lotion comprising the formula: Ingredients Range of Quantity (Wt %) Deionized Water 70-80 Sodium Metabisulfate 0.1-0.3 Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) 3-7 Erythrulose 1-5 Witch Hazel Extract 1-5 Ethoxydiglycol 3-7 Glycereth 7 Triacetate 1-5 Dimethyicone PEG-7 Phosphate 0.1-2.0 Polysorbate 20\) 0.1-4   Vitamin E Acetate Oil (Tocopheryl Acetate) 0-1 Fragrance 0-1 Phenoxyethanol, Methyparaben, 0-1 Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, or Butylparaben Total 100


16. A method of preparing the self-tanning lotion of claim 15 comprising dissolving the sodium metabisulfate and DHA in the deionized water, adding the erythrulose and witch hazel extract with mixing until dissolved, pre-mixing the remaining ingredients, and adding the pre-mix slowly to the solution with mixing until a clear solution is achieved.
 17. The self tanning lotion of claim 15, wherein the lotion is absorbed onto a self tanning sponge wherein the sponge is made of cellulose having medium to fine pore size, wherein the sponge is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks from pressure points when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, wherein the sponge is able to absorb and release self-tanning lotion.
 18. The self tanning lotion of claim 15, wherein the lotion is contained in a cosmetic package comprising a pouch containing a sponge containing the self-tanning lotion, wherein the sponge is made of cellulose having medium to fine pore size, wherein the sponge is of sufficient thickness to not flex or impart streaks from pressure points when the sponge is pressed against the skin to apply the lotion, wherein the sponge is able to absorb and release self-tanning lotion, and wherein the package is sealed.
 19. The self tanning lotion of claim 17, wherein the sponge is from about one half to one inch thick, wherein the width and length of the sponge is from about six inches by four inches to about three inches by about two inches, and the sponge has an hourglass shape.
 20. The self tanning lotion of claim 18, wherein, the sponge is from about one half to one inch thick, wherein the width and length of the sponge is from about six inches by four inches to about three inches by about two inches, and the sponge has an hourglass shape. 